Yard MD blog: Meet the Fox Valley's newest nature center

Fox River Environmental Education Alliance to hold celebration March 15

Mar. 3, 2014

The Fox River takes center stage at the newest nature center in town. The Fox River Environmental Education Alliance (FREEA) has purchased the former Monte Alverno property in Appleton and plans to hold a community celebration March 15. / Rob Zimmer/ Post-Crescent Media

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Post-Crescent Media

Meet the Fox Valley’s newest nature center March 15 when the Fox River Environmental Education Alliance (FREEA) holds its Fox River Community Celebration at their new property, the former Monte Alverno site.

Located on the shore of the Fox River at 1000 N. Ballard Road in Appleton, visitors to the event will have the opportunity to tour trails at the property, witness magnificent bald eagles in flight and see a variety of other bird life, plant life and more.

FREEA recently purchased the property in preparation for transforming the grounds into a sprawling outdoor classroom and nature center, complete with trails and river access, along with native vegetation and a wide variety of wildlife species.

Future plans call for locating a floating classroom here, where students of all ages can get hands-on access to the river and learn about preserving this precious watershed.

This prime location along the shores of the Fox River promises to become one of the area’s richest and most diverse natural areas.

The Fox River Community Celebration will include historical tours of the property, presentation to include future plans for the property, as well as nature and photography classes. Snowshoeing and hiking will also be available, as well as Batik art classes. For children, explore the world of robots and Legos, and enjoy many art and environmental projects.

Be sure to visit March 15 and get a sneak peek into everything that’s to come.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children or $25 family. Admission includes a raffle ticket for great prizes.